JimBob
10-30-2008, 08:46 AM
Sampson liking new role
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
10/30/2008
Last Modified: 10/30/2008 3:17 AM
Former OU coach is enjoying his work with NBA's Bucks.
OKLAHOMA CITY — For 25 years at the college level, Kelvin Sampson was a head coach. At Montana Tech, Washington State, Oklahoma and Indiana, he was the program CEO. His fingerprints were on every aspect of his teams' operation.
Now, less than nine months removed from his resignation at Indiana, Sampson is an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. On team documents, he is listed as the third assistant (behind NBA veterans Jim Boylan and Lionel Hollins).
On Wednesday, the 53-year-old Sampson was back in Oklahoma. He was on the Bucks' bench as Milwaukee beat Oklahoma City 98-87, spoiling the Thunder's Ford Center opener.
Because of NCAA trouble both at OU and Indiana, Sampson may never again get the opportunity to coach college basketball. His controversial departure from Indiana effectively served as an indefinite suspension from the college game.
With Lute Olson having recently stepped aside, the University of Arizona job is open. It is believed that Sampson has viewed Arizona as a dream destination, but when the Wildcat situation was mentioned on Wednesday, his response was an immediate "no comment."
If eventually he were given the choice of remaining in the NBA or returning to college basketball as a head coach, Sampson said, "I can really see myself staying in the NBA. I enjoy this game. I enjoy the players. But I can't look ahead three or four years and tell you where I'll be.
"I only know that I'm in Oklahoma City tonight, trying to help the Milwaukee Bucks win a basketball game."
While recording 279 victories, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and a 2002 Final Four surge in 12 seasons at OU, Sampson regularly spoke of his love for the teaching aspect of college coaching. When asked how much teaching actually occurs in the NBA, he replied, "There's more than you'd think. A lot more."
During the Bucks' pregame warm-up, Sampson worked mostly with All-Star shooting guard Michael Redd, who won a gold medal as a member of the United States' Olympic team in Beijing.
"Look at that shot," Sampson said as Redd swished deep 3-pointers from the left wing. "These guys are amazing players."
During the spring, Sampson worked in an advisory role for the San Antonio Spurs. When Scott Skiles became Milwaukee's new head coach, he said he viewed Sampson as being "a great fit" for the new Bucks staff.
"I wanted (assistants) who had experience as head coaches, regardless of what level it was," Skiles said. "Every one of our assistants has been a head coach, and Kelvin certainly had a great deal of experience and success at the college level. I have a lot of respect for him and his basketball knowledge."
Following the game, Sampson was embraced by his son Kellen, now a graduate assistant on Jeff Capel's OU staff, and by Sooner athletic director Joe Castiglione. Sampson then had an emotional reunion with about 40 Oklahoma friends and former Sooner players (including Kevin Bookout and Tim Heskett).
"So many great people here," Sampson said. "I had 12 great years in Oklahoma."
Sampson and his wife Karen recently sold their home in Bloomington, Ind., and are settling into a house in their home state of North Carolina. During the 82-game NBA season, Sampson's residence is a Milwaukee condominium.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
10/30/2008
Last Modified: 10/30/2008 3:17 AM
Former OU coach is enjoying his work with NBA's Bucks.
OKLAHOMA CITY — For 25 years at the college level, Kelvin Sampson was a head coach. At Montana Tech, Washington State, Oklahoma and Indiana, he was the program CEO. His fingerprints were on every aspect of his teams' operation.
Now, less than nine months removed from his resignation at Indiana, Sampson is an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. On team documents, he is listed as the third assistant (behind NBA veterans Jim Boylan and Lionel Hollins).
On Wednesday, the 53-year-old Sampson was back in Oklahoma. He was on the Bucks' bench as Milwaukee beat Oklahoma City 98-87, spoiling the Thunder's Ford Center opener.
Because of NCAA trouble both at OU and Indiana, Sampson may never again get the opportunity to coach college basketball. His controversial departure from Indiana effectively served as an indefinite suspension from the college game.
With Lute Olson having recently stepped aside, the University of Arizona job is open. It is believed that Sampson has viewed Arizona as a dream destination, but when the Wildcat situation was mentioned on Wednesday, his response was an immediate "no comment."
If eventually he were given the choice of remaining in the NBA or returning to college basketball as a head coach, Sampson said, "I can really see myself staying in the NBA. I enjoy this game. I enjoy the players. But I can't look ahead three or four years and tell you where I'll be.
"I only know that I'm in Oklahoma City tonight, trying to help the Milwaukee Bucks win a basketball game."
While recording 279 victories, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and a 2002 Final Four surge in 12 seasons at OU, Sampson regularly spoke of his love for the teaching aspect of college coaching. When asked how much teaching actually occurs in the NBA, he replied, "There's more than you'd think. A lot more."
During the Bucks' pregame warm-up, Sampson worked mostly with All-Star shooting guard Michael Redd, who won a gold medal as a member of the United States' Olympic team in Beijing.
"Look at that shot," Sampson said as Redd swished deep 3-pointers from the left wing. "These guys are amazing players."
During the spring, Sampson worked in an advisory role for the San Antonio Spurs. When Scott Skiles became Milwaukee's new head coach, he said he viewed Sampson as being "a great fit" for the new Bucks staff.
"I wanted (assistants) who had experience as head coaches, regardless of what level it was," Skiles said. "Every one of our assistants has been a head coach, and Kelvin certainly had a great deal of experience and success at the college level. I have a lot of respect for him and his basketball knowledge."
Following the game, Sampson was embraced by his son Kellen, now a graduate assistant on Jeff Capel's OU staff, and by Sooner athletic director Joe Castiglione. Sampson then had an emotional reunion with about 40 Oklahoma friends and former Sooner players (including Kevin Bookout and Tim Heskett).
"So many great people here," Sampson said. "I had 12 great years in Oklahoma."
Sampson and his wife Karen recently sold their home in Bloomington, Ind., and are settling into a house in their home state of North Carolina. During the 82-game NBA season, Sampson's residence is a Milwaukee condominium.